Head-supported scribing instrument



March 19, 1957 BARG HEAD-SUPPORTED SCRIBING INSTRUMENT Filed July 22, 1955 06 W WM .5 0 J.

AWOEMEKS Uni e I I 2,785,462 rmAn-surronrnn SCRIBING INSTRUMENT Joel Barg, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Application July 22, 1955, Serial No. 523,873

2 Claims. (Ci. 30-4643) The present invention relates to a scribing instrument which is supported from the head of an individual.

An object of the present invention is to provide a writing, or painting, or other scribing instrument for use by a nearly totally incapacitated individual having control of only the muscles of the neck or back.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a writing, painting, or other scribing instrument for use by an individual having limb amputations who is unable to use prosthetic attachments to the limb stump.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight device which is easily and comfortably supported on a wearers head, and one which is sufficiently rigid that a pen, pencil, paint brush, or other scribing instrument may be supported thereon so that the wearer, by movements of the head, may write, paint, carve, or manipulate small instruments for various useful and recreational purposes.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the head-supported scribing instrument of the present invention as supported upon the head of an individual,

Figure 2 is a top plan view,

Figure 3 is a greatly enlarged detail view in crosssection as taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a detail view greatly enlarged in crosssection as taken on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the present invention consists in a head-supported scribing instrument comprising an endless band 10 of a size and shape so as to loosely embrace the head in the region of the forehead and having a plurality of support blocks 12 adapted to engage the head of the individual arranged in spaced relation about the inner face of the band 10.

Each of the blocks 12 is formed from two pieces, 13 and 14, arranged in abutting face to face relation with the piece 13 having a recess 15 in its confronting face receiving the head 16 of a bolt 17 the shank of which extends through an aperture in the piece 14.

The band 10 has a grommet or bushing 18 provided with internal threads threadedly engaging the threads on the bolt 17 so that each of the support blocks 12 may be moved toward and away from the wearers head and may engage the wearers head when the band is supported thereon. A pair of cushioning bands 19 extend one around each end of each of the blocks 12 and provide a cushioning means so that the band may be worn comfortably upon the head of a wearer substantially in the plane of the forehead of the wearer. The end of each of the bolts 17 exteriorly of the band is provided with a wing nut 20 so that the blocks may be easily adjusted into engagement with the head of the wearer.

Patented Mart .19, 1957' The band 10 has a portion which encircles the forehead of the wearer and an arm 21 is arranged longitudinally of the band 10 and has one end 22 detachably secured to the forehead encircling portion of the band and has its other end 23 projecting away from the band and forwardly of the wearer.

The arm 21 forms a support member of generally L- shaped configuration, the short leg of which extends in an upright direction and has its free end dependingly and adjustably connected to the band It) and when so positioned the free end of its long leg projects forwardly of the wearer and is provided with a clamping means at its free end for supporting a scribing instrument.

The clamping means provided on the free end of the long leg of the support member or arm 21 consists in a pair of split sleeves 24 and 25 arranged longitudinally of each other and provided with a longitudinally arranged recess in each of them which forms an aperture to receive a pencil 26, as shown in Figure l, or other scribing means such as a paint brush, pen, or carving tool, as desired. The clamping means is secured to the free end 23 of the arm 21 by means of a bolt 27 having a head 28 at one end thereof and a wing nut 29 at the other end thereof for drawing the clamping means to gether around the scribing instrument and in tight adjusted position in any one of several locations on the arm 21, there being provided a plurality of holes 30 receiving the bolt 27 for that purpose. A bolt 31 and wing nut 32 is provided for securing the free end 22 of the arm 21 to the band it) at a point adjacent and to one side of the forehead of the individual when the band is positioned upon the head of the individual. In this position the individual has an unobstructed view of the scribing instrument held within the clamping means and may write, paint, carve, or otherwise delineate any sketch, written word, or painting as desired.

Preferably the band and arm are constructed of rigid or semirigid plastic or of other lightweight material so that the individual may wear the instrument of the present invention without discomfort and for relatively long periods of time.

The scribing instrument of the present invention is useful for those persons who are incapacitated due to illness, injury, surgery, and have only movements of the neck or back muscles left to them and also to in dividuals who have had their limbs amputated and do not effectively use prosthetic attachments to the stumps of their limbs.

The arm 21 is bent as indicated at 4--4- in Figure 2 so that the forwardly projecting end of the arm is sub stantially within the line of sight of the individual. If constructed of plastic, the band 1% may be connected together by a block 34 cemented on the inner face of the band at the rear end of the oval or loop formed by the band.

What is claimed is:

l. A scribing instrument for support from a wearers head comprising an endless band adapted to extend loosely about the head of a wearer in the region of the forehead of such wearer, said band having a portion for encircling the forehead of the wearer, a plurality of sup port blocks adapted to engage the head of the wearer arranged in spaced relation about the inner face of said band and connected to said band for movement toward and away from said band, cushioning means carried on each of said blocks, an arm arranged longitudinally of said band and having one end detachably secured to the forehead encircling portion of said band, a scribing instrument, and clamp means carried on the other end of said arm operatively and adjustably connected to said scribing instrument.

2. A scribing instrument for support from a wearers 3 Iieadcomprising an endless band adapted to extend loosely about the head of a wearer in the region of the forehead of such wearer, said band having a portion for encircling the forehead of the wearer, a plurality of support blocks adapted to engage the head of the wearer arranged in spaced relation about the inner face of said band and connected to said band for movement toward and away from said band, cushion means carried on each of said blocks, an L shaped support member having its short leg extending in an upright direction with the free end of said short leg dependingly and adjustahly connected to the forehead encircling portion of said band on one side thereof, said support member having its long leg projecting longitudinally of and forwardly ot said band, a scribing instrument, and clamp means on the free end of the long leg of said support member operatively and adjustably connected to said scribing instrument.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS 2,710,609 Giller June 14, 1955 

